[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 7 (Thursday, January 21, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E73]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            SUPPORTING THE INITIATIVES OF CHICAGO WILDERNESS

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                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM-

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 13, 2010

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 860, 
a resolution supporting the Leave No Child Inside initiative and the 
Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights. For our children's physical, 
emotional and intellectual growth, it is important for them to spend 
time outdoors and in nature. Unstructured playtime nourishes childhood 
development by stimulating imagination and creativity and building 
healthy habits.
  America's children are spending less time outside, and more time in 
front of the television or computer. This loss of exercise and 
exploration negatively affects their physical health, and it causes 
problems later in life. Nearly 119 million American adults are 
currently overweight or obese. Childhood obesity has doubled since 
1980, costing Americans more than $117 billion per year. We simply 
cannot afford to leave our children inside.
  The Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights is a call to fight obesity and 
to provide and promote quality outdoor activities for our children. For 
these reasons, I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 860.

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